Encouraging kids to develop virtues with a little help from the Community of Saints

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

April 2: St. Francis of Paola

"St. Francis of Paola Blessingthe Son of Louisa of Savoy"

History

Named after St.
Francis of Assisi (just like Pope Francis!), Francis of Paola became a monk
when he was 15 years old. He slept in a cave and only ate what he could find
growing wild or what his friends gave him. Two friends joined him, and then it
grew into a religious order called the “Minims”. Francis wanted them to live as
“the least” of all people. To inspire other Catholics to return to fasting
during Lent (which people had given up), Francis and the other monks ate no
meat or dairy products year-round.

Activity

In
places like the United States, where most of us have so much food available to
us all the time, abstaining from meat seems like a strange thing to do.
However, when we give up something we are used to eating for the sake of
Christ, it helps us think about how much He gave up to save us from our sins.
Today, go beyond meatless and eat a vegan meal. Here’s an easy recipe for potato soup. Or try this peanut stew.